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Sidhu Moosewala murder: Pakistanis use the singer’s murder in Punjab to push Khalistani propaganda, attempt to ignite communal tension in Punjab

OpIndia Staff
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Sidhu Moosewala murder: Pakistanis use the singer’s murder in Punjab to push Khalistani propaganda, attempt to ignite communal tension in Punjab

The Khalistani sympathizer Punjabi singer/rapper Sidhu Moosewala was shot dead in Mansa, Punjab earlier today. This was just the latest case of law and order spiraling out of control in the border state ever since Bhagwant Mann-led Aam Aadmi Party claimed power after a resounding win in the recent Punjab elections.

The controversial singer was brutally killed while he was driving in his Mahindra Thar in the Jawaharke village of Mansa. Moosewala, who was known to glorify Bhindrawale and sympathized with the Khalistani ’cause’ had seen his security withdrawn by the ruling Aam Aadmi Party just a day before he was brutally murdered.

In the aftermath of his murder, several Pakistani handles have pounced on the chance to create communal tension in Punjab and push the ISI-Khalistani propaganda.

A self-proclaimed geopolitical expert associated with PTV, Raja Faisal remarked that Moosewala was killed by BJP-RSS goons in Punjab. He also mentioned that Moosewala joined Congress last month and implied that being outspoken against Indian PM Narendra Modi, BJP, RSS, and Hindutva. Unfortunately for him, December was not the last month and it has been 6 months since Moosewala joined Congress and subsequently lost an election in a humiliating way.

Another user, an alleged actor Sehar Shinwari said that India has become a hellhole for actors because Sidhu Moosewala has been shot dead for unknown reasons. She also said that India has already become a hellhole for every minority she could remember, including Sikhs. Another Khalistani talking point that was repeated as it is.

One more Pakistani handle going by the name of ‘Defend Pakistan’ immediately announced that it was definitely the RSS behind the murder. However, he was honest enough to admit that Moosewala was a Congressi Khalistani sympathizer.

Another user for Karachi not only blamed RSS for the murder of Moosewala, but he was 200% sure about it. He also blamed RSS for the 1-year jail sentence of Navjot Singh Sidhu over a homicide in the 1980s.

While the reason for Sidhu Moosewala’s murder remains unclear, and investigations continue, it is very clear that Pakistan has unleashed its propaganda to push Khalistani talking points using this murder. Attempts will be made to push for a Hindu-Sikh divide using this murder while maintaining that they are only against BJP/RSS. How the rookie Bhagwant Mann government handles this propaganda and restores law and order in the state remains to be seen.

‘State sponsored murder’: AAP govt in Punjab faces widespread condemnation after murder of Sidhu Moose Wala following withdrawal of his security

OpIndia Staff
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‘State sponsored murder’: AAP govt in Punjab faces widespread condemnation after murder of Sidhu Moose Wala following withdrawal of his security

Punjabi singer and Congress leader Sidhu Moose Wala was shot dead today, while two others were injured in the incident in Mansa district in Punjab. Reportedly, over 30 rounds were fired at the vehicle the victims were travelling in, and while Moosewala was rushed to Mansa Civil Hospital, he was declared dead.

The incident happened just a day after the security of Sidhu Moose Wala and 423 other persons was withdrawn by the Bhagwant Mann government in Punjab. Now, the AAP govt is being condemned by leaders from various parties, blaming the govt’s decision to withdraw security for the murder.

Akali Dal leader Daljit Singh Cheema has demanded the resignation of the Punjab govt over the incident, saying that it should be termer as state sponsored murder. He slammed the AAP government for withdrawing security of 424, and then publishing the list of those persons, making the vulnerable.

He said, “Murder of Sidhu Moose Wala has shocked the country. This should be considered a state-sponsored murder. Firstly, the security of 400 people was withdrawn & then their names were published on social media. It’s criminal negligence.”

Former chief minister and Akali Dal leader Sukhbir Singh Badal also hit out at CM Bhagwant Mann over his government’s decision to remove Moose Wala’s security. He said, “This is an extremely sombre and critical hour, requiring all of us to exercise restraint and statesmanship. On his part, CM must reflect deeply why Punjab under him has drifted into anarchy with total breakdown of law & order.”

The former CM further added in his comments posted on Twitter, “CM also must honestly think if the cheaply populist decision to withdraw Moose Wala’s security is directly responsible for the tragedy. After all, he faced tangible threat to life. This is no time for political point scoring but someone must take responsibility for the situation.”

Partap Singh Bajwa, Leader of opposition in Punjab and Congress leader, also demanded immediate resignation of Bhagwant Mann as he also holds the charge of home affairs. Bajwa also demanded an explanation on what basis the security was withdrawn yesterday just one day before attack.

“Arvind Kejriwal and Raghav Chaddha, who run Punjab by proxy, must be held accountable for this murder”, said BJP IT cell Amit Malviya. He also asked whether the govt didn’t not know of the threat before withdrawing Sidhu’s security.

Former Jammu and Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah also criticised the AAP govt over withdrawal of security. He said that security provided to people should be based on an objective threat assessment and not based on personal likes and dislikes. “First, you withdrew security & then you make them vulnerable by leaking their names!” he had said.

Incidentally, BJP leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa had warned about dangers of withdrawing the security of 424 persons and publishing the list yesterday itself. He had asked how such a sensitive document was made public, and had demanded strict action against those who had leaked it.  “First, you withdrew security & then you make them vulnerable by leaking their names!” he had tweeted.

As his warning came true just after a day, Manjinder Singh Sirsa came down heavily on the AAP govt, and demanded an FIR against CM Bhagwant Mann for negligence of his Chief Ministerial duties which has cost the life of Sidhu Moosewala.

He also said that Bhagwant Mann and Arvind Kejriwal should be booked under section 302 of the IPC. He said that the worst politics of Bhagwant Mann and Arvind Kejriwal is responsible for the death of Sidhu Moose Wala.

Congress leader Gaurav Pandhi alleged that AAP gave a clear signal to the killers by withdrawing the security cover of Sidhu Moose Wala yesterday. He added, “The petty politics of Aam Aadmi Party has gone too far.” He quoted a tweet by AAP, where the party had proudly announced the withdrawal of security cover of 424, terming it as its battle against VIP culture.

Similarly, Congress social media team’s national convenor Ruchira Chaturvedi asked, “Will the AAP Govt in Punjab take responsibility for this devastating tragedy?”

Delhi BJP leader Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga, who has been relentlessly targeted by AAP govt in Punjab over his comments on Arvind Kejriwal, also asked Kejriwal why the security of Moosewala was withdrawn. He said that the Delhi CM is responsible for Jungle Raj and Sidhu Moose Wala’s Murder.

BJP leader Shehzad Jai Hind said that while he does not agree with Moose Wala’s views, it is shocking that he has been shot dead days after his security was withdrawn. “Law & order in Punjab has been completely demolished ever since P-AAP came to power,” he added.

Apart from politicians from various political parties, ordinary netizens are also blaming the AAP govt in Punjab for the incident. While many said that they didn’t agree with the singer who was known for his pro-Khalistan views, they condemned the murder and blamed the AAP govt for the same. The netizens said that AAP had withdrawn the security of so many people and published the list to score political point, disregarding the potential consequence of the same.

Here is what Islam says about sexual relations with a minor girl

OpIndia Staff
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Here is what Islam says about sexual relations with a minor girl

Islamic scriptures offer many answers to various questions asked by the adherents of Islam. One of the concerns is having sexual relations with a minor. According to Islamic scholars, while child marriage and sexual activity between adults and children are permitted under Islamic law, sexual intercourse with a girl under the age of nine is prohibited.

According to Ayatollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran, a man may satisfy his sexual desires with a minor girl as young as a newborn. He should not, however, penetrate. Lustful touch with a newborn is permissible under Islamic law. If the male penetrates and harms the girl, he should be held financially liable for her whole life. This is mentioned in Tahreer al-Waseelah, vol. 2, pages 221-222.

As Ayatollah Khomeini says, it is not permissible to have intercourse before the age of nine, whether in nikah (permanent marriage) or temporary marriage. However, it is stated that all other pleasures like as amorous touch, hugging, and thighing are permitted even with a breastfeeding child.

What is Thighing?

Thighing is the act of rubbing the penis between the legs as an alternative to sexual intercourse when it is not feasible owing to age or menstruation. Thighing is a sort of non-penetrative sex in which the penis is positioned between the receiving partner’s thighs and friction is created by thrusting. It is also known as coitus interfemoris, thigh sex, and interfemoral sex.

Sunni legal sources also attest to and confirm the practice. Islamweb.net, one of the most comprehensive Fatwa sources on the internet, includes the following Fatwa:

Question: What’s the ruling on thighing minors?
Answer: If the question refers to the thighing of a minor wife by her man then this is permissible. But if the question refers to the thighing of a non-wife then it’s forbidden whether it’s the thighing of a minor or an adult, a male or a female.

Punjabi singer and Congress leader Sidhu Moosewala shot dead, AAP government withdrew his security yesterday

OpIndia Staff
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Punjabi singer and Congress leader Sidhu Moosewala shot dead, AAP government withdrew his security yesterday

Famous Punjabi singer and rapper Sidhu Moosewala has been shot dead in an attack in Mansa, Punjab. The attack took place in the village Jawaharke of Mansa on Sunday 29th May 2022 during the evening. Moosewala and his two accomplices were fired upon by unidentified assailants. He was rushed to the hospital in a serious condition where he was declared brought dead.

Sidhu Moosewala, whose real name is Shubhdeep Singh Sidhu, was 28 years old and hailed from the village Moosa in Mansa in Punjab. He started his career in Canada with the song “G Wagon” before gaining popularity in India.

It is notable that Sidhu Moosewala’s security was withdrawn just a day before the attack by the Bhagwant Mann-led Aam Aadmi Party government. He figured in the list of over 400 VIPs whose security was withdrawn by the AAP government yesterday. Moosewala was going in a black-colored Mahindra Thar with his close aides when he was attacked. The attackers fired several rounds during the attack as several bullet holes can be seen on Moosewala’s vehicle.

Moosewala, a very popular singer, joined the Congress in November 2021 ahead of the Punjab elections. He had contested the Assembly polls on a Congress ticket from Mansa. AAP’s disgraced former health minister Dr. Vijay Singla defeated him with a margin of 63,323 votes.

At the time of the attack, Moosewala was himself driving the vehicle.

IPL: Gujarat Titans set to face Rajasthan Royals for the title, PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah likely to attend

OpIndia Staff
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IPL: Gujarat Titans set to face Rajasthan Royals for the title, PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah likely to attend

After 2 months of high-octane action, the Indian Premier League (IPL) is set for a grand conclusion as the 2 best sides in the tournament, Gujarat Titans and Rajasthan Royals, are set to clash in the final in the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Hardik Pandya-led Gujarat was the first team to qualify for the playoffs after topping the table, while Sanju Samson’s Rajasthan finished 2nd after the group stage.

The two teams have already met each other twice during this season, with Gujarat emerging as the winner on both occasions. During the group stage, the new IPL franchise coasted to a 37 runs win on the back of an excellent performance by skipper Hardik Pandya. Having finished in the top 2 positions during the group stage, the 2 sides met again in the first playoff where Gujarat once again had the upper hand.

Thanks to a brilliant late assault by South African David Miller, Gujarat won the game by 7 wickets to book their place in the final. Rajasthan had to defeat Royal Challengers Bangalore in the 2nd qualifier to join them, and they did so comfortably with their star man Jos Buttler scoring his 4th century of the season.

Jos Buttler, who is guaranteed the Orange Cap for this edition of the IPL, will once again be the key man for Rajasthan as he looks to extend his good form. Buttler has already hit 4 centuries in this IPL, equaling Virat Kohli’s record from 2016, and he will be keen to make the record his own in this last match.

PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah likely to attend

As per reports, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah are also likely to attend the grand final in the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Strict security arrangements have been made at the ground keeping in mind the high-profile visit. Over 6,000 security personnel have been deployed around the stadium for the same.

“As many as 17 DCPs, 4 DIGSs, 28 ACPs, 51 police inspectors, 268 sub-inspectors, over 5,000 constables, 1,000 home guards, and three companies of SRP will be deployed for security,” said Sanjay Srivastava, Commissioner of Police, Ahmedabad city.

A notification has also been issued banning the use of drones and any other unmanned aerial vehicles ahead of the match.

‘There will be no Namaz on streets in Uttar Pradesh, removal of loudspeakers have brought great relief to people’: UP CM Yogi Adityanath

OpIndia Staff
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‘There will be no Namaz on streets in Uttar Pradesh, removal of loudspeakers have brought great relief to people’: UP CM Yogi Adityanath

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath said on Sunday 29th May 2022 that there will be no Namaz on the streets in Uttar Pradesh. He also mentioned that thousands of mics and loudspeakers have been removed from religious places, and this is a great relief to the people in the state who were earlier troubled by the noise from loudspeakers. He said that people must have seen how the unnecessary noise was got rid of by removing the loudspeakers. Yogi Adityanath came up with this statement while addressing the Bharatiya Janata Party’s Uttar Pradesh state working committee meeting in Lucknow.

The UP CM noted that during the just concluded Ramazan, there was no namaz on roads in the state, and the festival was conducted peacefully along with Ram Navami and Hanuman Jayanti.

Yogi Adityanath said, “Today Uttar Pradesh is a riot-free state. This new government in Uttar Pradesh has resumed its previous works in the state and taking them ahead. You must have noticed in the last two months. We celebrate the Ram Navmi programs in a peaceful manner. We celebrate the hanuman Janotsav in a peaceful manner. It is happening for the first time in Uttar Pradesh that in the month of Ramzan, on the last day of the month, the Alvida Namaz is not offered on the streets of Uttar Pradesh. Now there will be no Namaz on the streets in Uttar Pradesh. For Namaz, there is a fixed place which is their house of worship either a mosque or an Idgah. Dharmik programs or religious programs will take place in their fixed places only. They will not take place on the streets.”

Yogi Adityanath further said, “You must also have seen how people get rid of the unnecessary noise they were coping with and how more than 70000 mics and loudspeakers of various religious places which caused trouble to senior citizens, patients, and infants and all are either taken off or their voice is limited to the prescribed premises. This in itself is an example of how small things like a mic and voluntarily which would once be a cause for riot and anarchy or mutual tensions between two communities are now checked and voluntarily taken off. This has created new hope and trust in the minds of the people of the state. The new Uttar Pradesh of the new India is ready to take this trust ahead and assert its new identity very strongly.”

Making an appeal to the party workers to be prepared for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections of 2024, Yogi Adityanath said, “I would like to appeal to all of the party workers through the working committee that let us resolve to prepare the grounds of the 2024 elections from right now. The people have trusted and voted for us looking at our dedication and work in the times of the Corona pandemic, and it is also the result of propagating the schemes of both the central and the state governments up to the people. Let us start preparing for 2024 right now. Let us resolve to work in a way that the people of Uttar Pradesh send 75 MPs to Lok Sabha in the 2024 elections to form a government in the center once again under the leadership of Narendra Modi. Let us work to achieve this target. I am all sure that with the hard work of all the leaders and the workers of the party, this target will be realized. Never forget what Atal Ji had once said, ‘Chhote man see koi bada nahi hota aur toote man see koi khada nahi hota’. One cannot become great with a narrow mind and one cannot stand firm with a broken heart.”

The Wire columnist Ghazala Wahab claims Jains are Hindus but they demanded minority status because of financial bonanza

OpIndia Staff
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The Wire columnist Ghazala Wahab claims Jains are Hindus but they demanded minority status because of financial bonanza

Based on the mistaken notion that Jainism and Hinduism are one and the same, The Wire columnist Ghazala Wahab has questioned the basis for Jains being granted minority status in India. She took to Twitter to mock Jains, alluding to a piece about a Jain father-son duo litigating the Kashi and Mathura lawsuits on behalf of Hindus, asking that if Jains and Hindus are the same, why are they classified as minorities.

A screenshot of the tweet.

In a subsequent tweet, Ghazala Wahab brazenly claimed that Jains sought minority status in order to avail the financial bonanza provided by the Ministry of Minority Affairs.

A screenshot of the tweet.

Ghazala stated that Jains were included in the minority category because they wanted to avail the financial benefits which are provided to the minorities by the minority affairs ministry. Ghazala Wahab mocked Advocate Hari Shankar Jain and his son Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain who are the arguing counsels from the Hindu side in the Gyanvapi and the Krishna Janmabhoomi cases.

Hindus and Jains are not the same

Although Jainism shares many beliefs with Hinduism and Buddhism due to their shared cultural background and ancient history, it is universally accepted that the Jain faith is a separate religion. Hinduism believes Brahma, the creator, created the Universe; meanwhile, Jainism thinks the Universe is everlasting and almighty. Hinduism likewise believes in nonviolence; yet, if violence is absolutely essential to gain triumph over evil, it is tolerated to some extent, whereas Jainism exclusively believes in nonviolence.

Many deities are worshipped in Hinduism, but in Jainism, 24 Tirthankars, as well as other celestial creatures, are worshipped as DemiGods. Mahavira was Jainism’s 24th Tirthankara. In Hinduism, the Vedas, Upanishads, Smritis, and other holy texts are revered, but Jainism has its own sacred texts, such as Agamas and Sutras.

Though these are the distinctions, there are many commonalities as well. Reincarnation, or the cycle of life and death, is a belief shared by Hinduism and Jainism. Both Hinduism and Jainism emphasise eating a vegetarian diet, and both religions value meditation. However, they are still different religions.

Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism are closely related with Hinduism, all of them originated in India, and there are lots of similarities in these religions. While some people do consider them to be part of Hinduism, in general, and the adherents of these religions agree that these are different religions.

It is notable that officially also Jainism is a separate religion, the census of India lists it as one of the religions that people can chose while submitting data for the decadal census, and census data includes the percentage of Jains in India.

As Jains constitute just around 0.4% of Indian population, it was a logical move to grant them minority statue.

Minority status of Jains

The Government of India granted the Jain community in India the status of “minority religion” in January 2014, in accordance with Section 2(c) of the National Commission for Minorities (NCM) Act 1992. The Jain desire for minority status dates back over a century when in British India, the Viceroy and Governor-General of India Lord Minto granted representation to significant minorities in the Central Legislature.

In a Memorandum to the Constituent Assembly in March 1947, the Representatives of the Jain Community presented a strong argument for the recognition of the Jains as a minority religious community. In 1993, the National Minorities Commission proposed that Jains be recognised as a religious minority community.

Jains were granted minority status by the government in January 2014. The community, which makes up a small percentage of India’s population, is now on a level with five other minority groups: Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists, and Parsis.

However, Jains have repeatedly emphasised their long-standing concern that Muslims have received a disproportionate amount of minority advantages. According to a source, the Muslim community has been the primary recipient of minority affairs ministry scholarships, which make for the majority of the ministry’s yearly budget of over Rs 3,000 crore (2014).

Jamiat-Ulama-e-Hind passes a resolution on UCC, threatens to take all measures against it if implemented. Read details

OpIndia Staff
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Jamiat-Ulama-e-Hind passes a resolution on UCC, threatens to take all measures against it if implemented. Read details

On Sunday (May 29), the Islamic outfit Jamiat-Ulama-e-Hind passed a resolution against the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), which seeks to override Muslim personal laws and enforce uniformity in civil matters.

The resolution was passed during a 2-day program, which saw the participation of 5,000 Muslim organizations, in Deoband in the Saharanpur district of Uttar Pradesh. The resolution claimed that the enactment of UCC would prevent the observance of personal laws, allegedly guaranteed by the Indian Constitution.

“This ignores the true spirit of the Constitution. No Muslim accepts interference in Islamic law. If any government makes the mistake of implementing UCC, Muslims will not accept this injustice and will be forced to take all measures against it while staying within constitutional limits,” the resolution stated.

The Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind has accused the Modi government of patronizing hate mongers and making the lives of Muslims difficult in India. It has announced that it will hold 1,000 ‘goodwill conferences’ (Sadbhawana Sansads) to supposedly unite society and counter Islamophobia.

During his address, President (Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind) Maulana Madani said, “We had a chance to go to Pakistan but we did not go. Those who harp on about Pakistan should go there themselves.” He also claimed that Muslims have been rendered ‘strangers’ in their own country.

“We have been maintaining patience but that does not mean that we will bow our heads and accept everything. We can compromise on everything, but not on our faith,” he warned while speaking during the event.

Jamiat-Ulama-i-Hind raises Gyanvapi masjid issue

During the 2-day event, a resolution was also passed on the ongoing dispute over the Gyanvapi Masjid structure. The organization expressed its displeasure at the whole controversy. On Saturday (May 28), Maulana Niaz Ahmed Farooqui threatened that the claim over the Gyanvapi mosque could lead to the creation of another Pakistan.

Farooqui, who serves as the media-in-charge of Jamiat- Ulama-e-Hind, warned, “Hatred is being propelled against Muslims in the country. Pakistan was created the last time there was a tirade of this sort against the Muslims. I don’t understand what exactly these people want.”

The event was conducted under the tight security and supervision of the Saharanpur district administration. A large contingent of the police forces was deployed to avert any law and order situation.

MeToo accused and lyricist of Akshay Kumar’s Samrat Prithviraj gets lessons in free speech after he downplays Islamist threats to Nupur Sharma

OpIndia Staff
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MeToo accused and lyricist of Akshay Kumar’s Samrat Prithviraj gets lessons in free speech after he downplays Islamist threats to Nupur Sharma

Lyricist of Akshay Kumar starrer Samrat Prithviraj and #MeToo accused Varun Grover got a lesson in free speech and expression after he downplayed life threats to BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma. Netizens pointed out his double standards putting how he once said freedom of speech should also include freedom to insult.

On Sunday, Grover expressed solidarity with self-proclaimed fact-checker and AltNews co-founder Mohammed Zubair, who dog whistled an online mob of Islamists by sharing a post of Nupur Sharma making some statements about prophet Muhammad. This resulted in a spate of rape and murder threats on her and her family. Social media users were also outraged that, instead of siding with the woman who is receiving rape and death threats, Varun Grover stood with the man who triggered it all.

Grover watered down Zubair’s leading an online Islamist mob and claimed that all he did was ‘call out hate-speech’ and even called Sharma’s comments on Prophet Muhammad ‘legally problematic’.

Replying to the tweet above, a pointed out how Grover had earlier stood by ‘comedian’ Munawar Faruqui for having insulted Hindu gods and goddesses under the garb of ‘comedy’.

Faruqui, in one of his stand-up performance, used lyrics of a popular Bollywood score to mock Lord Rama over his 14 years of exile, and portrayed Sita as an insecure wife suspicious of her husband Lord Rama’s loyalty towards her. Subsequently, people had called for boycott of his ‘comedy’ shows which hurt Hindu sentiments.

However, for Grover, what is good for the goose is not really good for the gander. Faruqui had the right to offend Hindu sentiments and get away with it, but Sharma cites Islamic religious text and gets called ‘hate speech’.

Author Aabhas Maldahiyar pointed out how Sharma was just quoting Islamic text. “Quran 17.1: Prophet on Flying Horse/ Donkey Bukhari 5134: Prophet married her when she was six years old and he consummated his marriage when she was nine years old. Ask “Chidiyaghar ka Bhalu” to fact check it. Bukhari & Quran writer= hate-monger?” he added.

Quoting Varun’s tweet, Twitter user and podcaster Kushal Mehra wrote, “Is citing religious sources hate speech? Then is religion itself hate speech?”

Ina subsequent tweet, he wrote, “I believe hate speech is part of free speech. But these hate speech haters need to resolve this internal problem. Because if they want hate speech banned they have to multiple religious verses…”

Another popular Twitter user tweeted how people like Grover show their true colours by siding with offenders just because the victim is from a different political ideology.

Another social media user also pointed out how Grover was justifying the threats received by Sharma by calling he remarks ‘hate-speech’.

Notably, Varun Grover was earlier accused of sexually abusing a woman. During the #metoo movement in 2018, an anonymous lady stated to be his college junior at BHU accused Grover of sexually harassing her under the guise of auditioning for a play. However, he had denied those allegations.

UIDAI withdraws notification that asked people not to share photocopy of Aadhaar card with any organisation

OpIndia Staff
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UIDAI withdraws notification that asked people not to share photocopy of Aadhaar card with any organisation

The Unique Identification Authority of India has withdrawn a Press Release issued by it on 27th May, through which it had asked people to not give the photocopy of their Aadhaar cards to anyone. A clarification in that regard has been issued today by the body, saying that the press release has been withdrawn due to possibility of misinterpretation.

It may be noted that the press release dated 27th May issued by the Bengaluru office had appeared in media today, which had created a quite a storm in social media. Through it, the UIDAI had said, “Do not stare photocopy of your Aadhaar with any organisations because it can be misused”. As an alternative, people were asked to use a masked Aadhaar number which displays only the last 4 digits of the Aadhaar number. Aadhaar cards with such masked Aadhaar numbers can be downloaded from the UIDAI official website.

The press release had also asked people to avoid using internet café or kiosk to download e-Aadhaar. “Only those organizations that have obtained a User License from the UIDAI can use Aadhaar for establishing the identity of a person. Unlicensed private entities like hotels or film halls are not permitted to collect or keep copies of Aadhaar card. It is an offence under the Aadhaar Act 2016. If a private entity demands to see Aadhaar card or seeks a photocopy of Aadhaar card, please verify that they have a valid User License from the UIDAI,” the notice had further said.

This notice had invited lots of shocks and ridicule on social media, as Aadhaar has been made either mandatory or an accepted identity document in a range of services, and most people have already submitted copies of the Aadhaar cards to various government and private organisations.

As the press release had created a lots of confusion, the authority decided to withdraw it. The new notice published by PIB says:

This is in pursuant of the Press Release dated 27 May 2022 by the Bengaluru Regional Office, UIDAI.

It is learnt that it was issued by them in the context of an attempt to misuse a photoshopped Aadhaar card. The release advised the people to not to share photocopy of their Aadhaar with any organization because it can be misused. Alternatively, a masked Aadhaar which displays only the last 4 digits of Aadhaar number, can be used.

However, in view of the possibility of the misinterpretation of the Press Release, the same stands withdrawn with immediate effect.

Withdrawing the advisory to not share the photocopy of the Aadhaar card with anyone, the new notice says that UIDAI issued Aadhaar card holders are only advised to exercise normal prudence in using and sharing their UIDAI Aadhaar numbers.

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